Government ups air bag warning to 7.8M vehiclesThe U.S. government is now urging owners of nearly 8 million cars and trucks to have the air bags repaired because of potential danger to drivers and passengers. But the effort is being complicated by confusing information and a malfunctioning website. The government's auto safety agency says that inflator mechanisms in the air bags can rupture, causing metal fragments to fly out when the bags are deployed. The inflators are made by Japanese p...

Fast learnersRussellville Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy cadets got behind the wheel on the driving instructional course Tuesday evening to get a first-hand perspective of the training officers get. In its fourth week, the academy has already had 19 local residents learning the behind-the-scenes of patrolling and making traffic stops and cyber forensics.

ATU-Ozark to break ground Thursday for new buildingOZARK — Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus will break ground on its 20,723 square-foot allied health building at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The ceremony will take place in the northwest parking lot adjacent to the current allied health building at 1700 Helberg Lane. Members of the River Valley communities are all invited to this special event. The new allied health building will house five of the campus’ allied health programs — paramedic, health...

Fall fest kicks off SaturdayThe 23rd annual Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff is set to begin on Saturday throughout the Russellville Downtown Historic District. The festival begins with the Bountiful Breakfast Buffet at 7 a.m. and ends with the final performance at Depot Park at 5 p.m. Admission to the festival is free. "This daylong celebration hearkens back to the good old days when carnivals set up on the streets of Russellville Downtown, and the entire commun...

No ID required to voteWith early voting underway, it's important to clear up any misconceptions people have about voting laws. One law that people have expressed confusion over is whether or not voters must show ID in order to vote. The answer is simple — no. How lawmakers got to that answer was anything but simple, which is probably why so many people remain uncertain. In 2013, the Arkansas legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Mike Beebe to approve the Voter ID law...

Hollis unveils Capital Projects PlanRussellville Recreation and Parks Director Mack Hollis presented his Capital Projects Plan, which included a proposed schedule and estimated costs for the list of projects, to the recreation and parks commission during its October meeting. The first project listed was the Russellville Aquatic Center that has an estimated cost of $5.5 million. The facility will include three pools — a 25-meter, eight-lane competition pool, a therapy/aerobic poo...

News Briefs (Oct. 22, 2014)American Legion singing The American Legion weekly country singing, which will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Hut, will feature the Arkansas Country Express. The band includes Jack George, Pud Maggard, David Bocksnic, Bill Rowlette, Bobby Maggard and Lannie Yates. Saint Mary’s Spook-tacular blood drive Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville will partner with The Arkansas Blood Institute to host a Spook-tacular ...

Hindsman appointed to Recreation and ParksTommy Hindsman was appointed to serve as commissioner for the Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission during the Russellville City Council meeting on Sept. 18. Hollis said he made the recommendation to appoint Hindsman to Mayor Bill Eaton, who in turn made the recommendation to the Russellville City Council. "I knew he would be a really good fit and help us out a lot," Hollis said. Hindsman, co-owner of Hindsman & Son Tires, has a degree ...

ATU Debate team has successful first tournamentThe ATU Debate and Forensics team recently competed in their first tournament of the year, the “Weevil Wars” tournament hosted by the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). The ATU debaters competed in three divisions of the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate: team, individual novice and individual varsity debate. Twelve debaters traveled to and competed in this tournament. In the varsity division, ATU was represented b...

Clarksville hosts Safe Treat EventCLARKSVILLE — The Clarksville Police Department (CDP) is looking for helpers for its 4th annual Safe Treat Event later this month. "We are actively seeking vendors to come and host games, fun things and snack giveaways," Sterling Penix, CPD public information officer, said. "Churches, businesses, civic groups and more are encouraged to come out and host a table. Registration is free." The Safe Treat Event will be free and open to the public. "...

News Briefs (Oct. 20, 2014)Crow Mountain Crime Watch to meet The Crow Mountain Crime Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Mars Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be Blake Wilson. Refreshments will be served. 2014 Prime Time event set for Thursday The 2014 Prime Time event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday in the Hughes Community Center. Prime Time is a business expo setting for the new members that joined during the 2014 Membership Event, the...

Derrick pleads guilty to manslaughterApril Derrick, who was initially charged with first-degree murder in the March 1 shooting death of 40-year-old Josh Garner, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday in the Pope County Circuit Court. Derrick, 37, was sentenced to 120 months and was credited for the 70 days she spent in the Pope County Detention Center prior to posting a $75,000 bond in May. Derrick was arrested in March following a shooting at a residence on North Market Street in...

The Great Sequoyah CampoutStudents at Sequoyah Elementary School sing camp songs at the seventh annual Great Sequoyah Campout held Thursday at the school. The campout broke last year's attendance record by 78 with 340 campers attending. Students enjoyed rotating through four stations including: "Leave No Trace" under the direction of Robert Duggan, "Native Americans From This Area" with Sasha Bowles, "Leaf Art" directed by Ashley Bryan, Julie Oxendine and Denise Wiedow...

Russellville City Council Candidate Q&AWard 1, Position 1 candidates Mark Tripp Why are you seeking this position? I love Russellville. This is my hometown. I was born and raised in this community. My wife, Laura Beth, and I have four children, who all attend Russellville public schools. She and I are both graduates of Russellville High School, and I am an alum of Arkansas Tech University. I am passionately dedicated to Russellville and truly believe that we live in one of the best...

Police chief: City is a safe place to liveJeff Humphrey began his third year as Russellville’s police chief by telling the City Council that Cabot is the only city in Arkansas that has a lower crime rate than Russellville. Humphrey told aldermen through the first nine months of 2014, police have been dispatched to 15,427 calls for service. Department statistics include: • 148 felon arrests; • 842 misdemeanor arrests; • 8,139 traffic stops; • 5,079 traffic citations; • 79 DWI arrests; ...

Vets want to bring Vietnam Memorial Wall to RussellvilleMembers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2283 Unit 13, VFW Riders Group and VFW Ladies Auxiliary want to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Russellville next year. David Cone, representing the VFW Riders Group Unit 13 Committee, told the Russellville City Council during its regular meeting Thursday he is among several veterans who can’t visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. He said he was approached to bring the Vietnam ...

News Briefs (Oct. 19, 2014)PCLS Bookends Book Club meeting The Pope County Library System (PCLS) Book Club will meet in Heritage Hall located next door to Russellville Public Library at 6 p.m. Monday. The PCLS Book Club will discuss “Wonder” by R.J. Polacio. For more information, call Sherry Simpson at (479) 968-4368 or email thebookends2014@gmail.com. Downtown Fall Festival, Chili Cookoff The 23rd annual Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff will be held Saturday th...